Contained on this page are suggested deadline dates for EARLY submission of ballot measure materials for the November election. Any jurisdiction that files their resolutions calling their election for a measure on June 15, shall also adhere to the EARLY filing deadlines for arguments and rebuttals. We encourage jurisdictions to meet these early deadlines in order to allow sufficient time to print ballots and sample ballots.

If special districts, school districts or cities are going to submit a measure to the voters in the November election, the governing boards are encouraged to adopt by this date a resolution to consolidate the measure with the November election. Districts and cities also need to adopt the measure text and a 75-word ballot question to be printed on the ballot. Please see our Guide to Place a Measure on the Ballot

JUNE 15 (E-145) / SUBMIT RESOLUTIONS AND MEASURE TEXT TO ELECTIONS (EARLY)

By this date, special districts, school districts and cities are encouraged to submit the resolution to consolidate a measure with the November election, measure text, and a 75-word ballot question to the Elections Department. DISTRICTS and CITIES should submit their "Notice of Election" with their resolution to consolidate: SCHOOLS should submit their "Specifications of the Election Order". SEE ATTACHMENTS C, D & E.

For those districts and cities that submit their measures for consolidation with the November election early, this is the last Board of Supervisors hearing to adopt resolutions to consolidate measures until August 1. THE BOARD DOES NOT MEET IN JULY. Elec. Code §10403 gives jurisdictions until the 88^th day, but printing, public inspection and argument deadlines require this date to be set earlier.
Should the Board of Supervisors decide a fiscal analysis of a county measure needs to be written by the County Auditor, the Board may direct the Auditor to do so at this meeting. (§9160 & 9400 et seq.)

For those districts who submit measure information in June, the county elections officials will publish a notice by this date setting the deadline for filing arguments for and against ballot measures for special district and school district measures, and city measures if so authorized.

For those districts and cities that submitted measure information in June, on this date arguments for and against measures will be due, as well as tax rate statements (if applicable).

For those districts and cities that submitted measure information in June, on this date rebuttal.  Arguments will be due. This is also the deadline for the impartial analyses & fiscal analysis (if applicable).

For those districts and cities that submitted measure information in June, this period will be set aside for public inspection of measures, arguments and analyses.

JUNE 30 (E-130) / BOUNDARY CHANGES – DISTRICTS

Last day for districts holding their election in November to make boundary changes to be filed with the County Clerk by July 5. (§12262)

Last day for the county superintendent of schools to notify school district boards of a mandatory consolidation where two or more districts of any type are to hold an election in the same area on the same date. (Ed Code §5323; 5340)

Between this period, cities publish a Notice of Election one time in a newspaper of general circulation stating:

• the date and polling hours of the election;

• the offices to be filled;

• and any measure to be voted on, including synopsis of each measure.

This is also the suggested date for cities to establish deadlines for filing arguments for and against city ballot measures. Please not the filing schedule established by the county elections official in this calendar. (§4105; 9220; 9281-9287; 12109; 12110; 12114)

Last day for district secretaries and City Clerks to deliver Notice of Election listing the elective offices to be filled and to deliver a map of District to the Elections Department. The notice may also include information on a ballot measure being proposed. (§10509, 10522, 10524). SEE ATTACHMENT C

Last day for a school board to deliver a resolution known as "Specifications for the Election Order " and file it with the county Superintendent of Schools and county elections official stating the:

• date and purpose of the election,

• the authority for ordering the election’

• the authority for the specifications, and

• the signature of the duly authorized officer. (Ed. Code §5322)

SEE ATTACHMENT D

A suggested date by which school governing boards determine whether a tie vote shall be resolved by lot or by a runoff election. A clause to determine a tie vote is included in the "Specifications of the Election Order" resolution for districts’ convenience. (Ed Code §5016).

A suggested date by which special district boards and city councils should adopt a resolution providing for a runoff election in event of a tie vote. (Applies only to elections other than primaries.) Such a resolution remains in effect for all future elections unless specifically repealed. (§15651)

(Note: §10551 requires the elections official to notify special districts that a tie exists. The district board then summons the candidates to appear and determines the winner by lot. No mention is made of a runoff election.)

Deadline for the superintendent of school to deliver to the elections official copies of:

• the order of election for any school or community college district within his/her jurisdiction; and

• the formal notice of election.

The Election is called by the county superintendent of schools by causing (a) the posting or publication of notices of election, and (b) the delivery of the formal notice of election to the county elections official.

The notice of election must be published or posted. If it is published, this must occur between 120 and 90 days before the date of a governing board election. The Elections Department will publish on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools if directed to do so by the Superintendent.

For ballot measure elections only, notice must be posted at every schoolhouse in the territory or district and at three other public places in the territory or district. (Ed Code §5324; 5325;5362; 5363)

Between these dates the county clerk will publish a Notice of Election. In addition to the notice as prescribed in §12112, county clerk shall issue a press release, setting forth information in accordance with §12112(b).

• the date of the election

• the offices to be filled

• qualifications for candidacy required by the principal act

• where nomination papers are available and where they must be filed

• date and time after which declarations of candidacy will not be accepted; and

• notice that appointments will be made in accordance with Ed. Code §5326, 5328 and 5328.5 in the case of school offices.

The Elections Department is responsible for publishing information pertaining only to special districts; however, if authorized to do so by City Clerks and the Superintendent of Schools, the county may publish on behalf of all jurisdictions holding elections in November.

Notice of central counting place may be combined with this notice. The county elections official will forward copies of all published notices to each school and special district. (§12113)

Candidates obtain and file their Declaration of Candidacy for school and special district boards, and, if applicable, file Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications. Forms are obtained from and filed with the county Elections Department. (§10510, 13307, 13311)

Candidates for city office must be nominated by not less than 20 nor more than 30 voters in cities with 1,000 or more registered voters. The nomination papers shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the nominee that he or she will accept the office if elected. Nomination documents shall be obtained from and filed with the City Clerk. (§10220-10224, 10227, Gov. code §36503.7)

When nomination and/or candidacy papers are issued, the elections official shall provide candidates with:

• the rules governing conflicts of interest and campaign statements (candidates for city offices must file with Declaration of Candidacy);

• rules governing candidate statement charges and filings; and

• a blank form of the "Code of Fair Campaign Practices" and copies of Election Code §20440-20444.

Prior to this date cities, special districts, and school districts should have adopted a resolution calling for their election of council members/board members and/or ballot measures to be consolidated with the November election. Materials must be filed with the Elections Department by this date in order to have the item placed on the next Board of Supervisors agenda to consolidate the election with the November election. (§9140, 9342)

Resolutions to consolidate measure with the November ballot must be accompanied by ballot measure text and a 75-word ballot question. SEE ATTACHMENTS B & E

Deadline for an elementary school district with a three-member board to ask the county superintendent of schools to submit to the voters a question whether to raise the membership to five board members. Elementary school boards have the option of deciding on their won to increase the board to five members or asking the county superintendent to submit the question to the voters. (Ed. Code §5018)

Semi-annual Campaign Statements of campaign expenditures and receipts for the period of January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2000 are due on this date. Elected officers, candidates and committees which receive contributions of $1,000 or more in a calendar year file semi-annual campaign statements. Excepted from this requirement are: candidates who file a declaration indicating they receive or expend less than $1,000 in a calendar year; elected officers whose salaries are less than $100 per month; judicial candidates who have not made any contributions or expenditures during the preceding six month period; and judges not listed on the ballot for reelection, under specified circumstances. (Gov. Code §82013, 84200)

Final meeting before E-88 for the Board of Supervisors to adopt resolutions consolidating district, school and city elections of council members, board members and/or measures with the November election.

Elections official will publish a Notice of Election, as required by law, including information on city and school elections, if so authorized. Notice will set deadline for filing arguments for or against ballot measures filed after June 15 for August 18. (§9163 & Gov. Code §6061)

Final deadline for governing body of a district, city or other political subdivision which requests consolidation of a local election for candidates of measures to file the request with the county Board of Supervisors with a copy to the county elections official.

The exact wording of the measures must be provided and must conform to Elections Code provision.

The governing board of the jurisdiction requesting consolidation must give the names of candidates to appear on the consolidated ballot to the county elections official no later than 81 days (August 18) before the election. (§10402; 10403; Ed. Code 5342)

Earlier filing dates are encouraged in order to meet printing schedules.

Final date for candidates to obtain and file their Declaration of Candidacy for school and special district boards, and, if applicable, file Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications. Forms are obtained from and filed with the county Elections Department. (§10510, 13307, 13311)

Final date for candidates for city office to submit nomination papers and their Declaration of Candidacy. Nomination documents shall be obtained from and filed with the City Clerk. (§10220-10224, 10227)

If an incumbent member of a school board, special district board or city does not file a Declaration of Candidacy by 5 p.m. on August 11, any person other than the incumbent may file a Declaration of Candidacy by 5 p.m. on August 16. This provision does not apply is there is no incumbent eligible to be elected. Any candidate who has filed may withdraw his or her Declaration of Candidacy until 5 p.m. on the last day to file. (§10225, 10407, 10516(b);

Should the Board of Supervisors decide an analysis of a county measure needs to be written by the County Auditor, the Board should direct the Auditor to do so at this meeting. (§9160 & 9400 et. Seq)

SPECIAL DISTRICTS: If by 5 p.m. on this day, on one has been nominated or an insufficient number of persons has been nominated to fill an office or offices, and a petition signed by 10% or 50 voters (whichever is the smaller number) has not been submitted, the elections official shall certify this fact to the Board of Supervisors. A person who has filed a Declaration of Candidacy shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors at a regular or special meeting held prior to the first Monday before the first Friday in December. If no one filed, another qualified person shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors on or before November 7 and shall take office and serve as if elected (§10515)

SCHOOLS/COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION: If by 5 p.m. on this day, only one person has been nominated or there are no nominees for the office(s) to be filled or in the case of members elected at large or by trustee areas, there are fewer than the number to be elected, and no petition is signed by 10% or 50 voters (whichever is the smaller number), an appointment will be made. The qualified person nominated shall be seated at the organizational meeting of the board, or, if an insufficient number is nominated, the governing board shall appoint as necessary at a meeting prior to Election Day. Persons so appointed shall be seated at the organizational meeting as if they had been elected.

In the event no one is nominated, the governing board shall publish a notice one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the district stating the board intends to make an appointment and informing the public how to apply for the office. (Ed. Code §5326’ 5328’ 5328.5)

CITIES: If by 5 p.m. on this day (or the 88^th day if there is no extension) there are no nominees or only one nominee for an elective city office, the city council may decide to fill the office by appointment or proceed with the election.

Prior to the council’s action, the City Clerk must publish a one-time notice of the facts and options under Elec. Code §10229. The council may not make an appointment until five days after this publication.

If no appointment is made by the 75^th day, the election is held. If any citywide office or measure is on the ballot, the election is held regardless of insufficient nominees. (§10229).

The Secretary of State’s Office shall randomly draw letters of the alphabet to determine the order of candidates’ names on the November ballot.

Deadline to submit arguments for or against ballot measures filed after June 15. See deadline schedule provided by the Elections Department. (§9163, 9316)

Deadline to submit Tax Rate Statements for school bond measures filed after June 15.

Deadline to file rebuttal argument for measures whose deadline for filing arguments was August 18.(§9167, 9317)

Deadline to file impartial analyses & fiscal analysis, if applicable, for measures filed after June 15.

• County Counsel to submit analysis (§9160, 9313) for county and district measures; City Attorney to submit analysis of city measures (§9280)

• County Auditor, if previously directed by the Board of Supervisors, to submit fiscal analysis of county measures ( §9160)

• County, city, district or other political subdivision must submit a tax rate statement if they are proposing a bond measure (§9400, et. al.)

10-day public inspection of arguments & analyses filed in August. (§9190, 9380)

Deadlines for cities to supply county elections official with a list of precincts for the consolidated election. (§10002)

Suggested last date to begin publishing, in ballot order, the list of city nominees once a week for two successive weeks pursuant to Gov Code §6066. This publication would be in order any time following the random alphabet drawing conducted at E-82.

Beginning this date, special absentee voters, as described by §300(b) may apply for an absentee ballot if military or other contingencies preclude timely mail delivery for voting during the normal absentee voting period.

Between these dates write-in candidates must obtain and file nomination papers. (§8601; 8604; 10228)

Voter registration file is sent to Secretary of State’s Office for mailing State Pamphlets to voters. 54-day Walking Lists are available to candidates soon after this date.

Between these dates, the County will mail sample ballots designating the voter’s polling place and the time of the election, as well as providing an absentee ballot application. (§12118, 12117, 12111, 13303)

Deadline for candidates and their controlled committees and committees to support or oppose candidates or measures, to file First Pre-Election Campaign Statements for the period ending September 30, 2000.

Prior to any election, the governing body of the jurisdiction may determine that certain offices or measures to be voted on are of more than ordinary public interest and require early tabulation and announcement. This is the last day when an early tabulation request may be sent to the elections official. (§15100)

Deadline for elections official to:

• Determine the appropriate arrangement of precinct workers (§12305);

• Establish precincts in accordance with voting systems used, consolidate precincts, etc., but not alter boundaries. ( §12223; 12224, 12226; 12228; 12240; 12222)

Last day to register to vote in this election. An affidavit of registration shall be accepted if: (1) the affidavit is executed on or before the 29^th day and, 92) the affidavit is received by mail by the fourth day after the 29^th day. (§2107)

Note: Elec. Code §2106 requires any printed media or announcements in conjunction with voter outreach programs under Elec. Code §2103-2105 to contain the following statement: "A person entitled to register to vote must be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony, and at least 18 years of age at the time of the election."

Between these dates voters who have requested an absentee ballot will be sent one in the mail. Applications received prior to the 29^th day shall be held and processed during this period. (§3001)

The county elections official provides camera-ready copy of the uniform absentee ballot applications for campaigns and other organizations to duplicate and distribute to voters. Such applications may supply preprinted information except for the voter’s mailing address and signature. A campaign headquarters may not be used as a mailing address unless the voter lives there. Any campaign or other organization which receives a voter’s application must forward it to the elections official within 36 hours. (§3006; 3007; 3008)

Suggested date for publishing precincts, polling places and boards. (§12103, 12104-9, Gov. Code §6061)

For CITY elections to fill offices or to vote on a measure, the city elections official must publish one time a list of candidates in the order they appear on the ballot and the respective offices and a synopsis of each measure being considered. That publication must be made no later than one week before the election. (§12210, 12111; Gov. Code §6041, 6041.5, 6061)

During this time late contributions and independent expenditure reports must be filed by telegram, mailgram, guaranteed overnight mail, FAX, or delivered in person. (Gov. Code 82036, 82036.5, 84203, 84204, 84215)

Deadline for candidates and their controlled committees, and committees to support or oppose candidates or measures, to file the Second Pre-Election Campaign Statement for the period from 10-1-00 to 10-21-00. (Gov. Code 84200.8b)

The county Elections Department staff may begin to process absentee ballots to the extent of putting the information on computer tape. In no event shall a vote count be made until the close of the polls on election day. (§15000)

NOVEMBER 1 (E-6) / LATE APPLICATIONS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS

After the normal closing period for requesting an absentee ballot by mail, any voter unable to go to his or her polling place on election day may request an absentee ballot at the Elections Department by completing an affidavit under penalty of perjury. The absentee ballot may be delivered to the voter’s authorized representative who presents this written statement to the elections official. (§3021)

Deadline for COUNTY candidates and their controlled committees, and committees to support or oppose COUNTY candidates or measures, to file the Third Pre-Election Campaign Statement for the period 10-22-00 to 11-2-00.

If appointments are made pursuant to the insufficient nominee procedure, this is the last day to make such appointments for school district offices. Ed. Code §5328 merely instructs that appointments shall be made "at a meeting prior to the date fixed for the election…"

The Board of Supervisors shall have appointed qualified persons to fill vacancies on special districts where no one filed by this date. Appointees shall take office and serve as if elected (§10515)

Polls are open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. (§14212, 10242, 2354) Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. by the elections official.

The official canvass shall begin no later than the Thursday after the election. It shall be public and continuous. Incomplete or ambiguous returns shall be resolved, errors corrected, absentee and provisional ballots verified, etc. (§15300 et. seq; 10547-10549)

Deadline for the elections official to declare the elected candidates. As soon as the canvass is declared, the elections official shall prepare a certified Statement of Vote and send it to the secretary of each participating district.

The elections official shall immediately make and deliver to each person elected a certificate of election. (§10550-10553)

Candidates who filed a Declaration of Candidacy shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors at a regular or special meeting held prior to the first Monday before the First Friday in December. This is the last board meeting before this statutory deadline. (§10515)

The elections official shall prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to the Board of Supervisors. (§15308)

SPECIAL DISTRICTS: officers declared elected or appointed (i.e. as provided in §10515) take office this date at noon after having taken the oath or posted any bond required by the principal act. (§10554)

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTS: Officers elected to school office take office this date pursuant to Ed. Code §5017, though no reference is made to "noon" as is the case in Elec. Code §10554.

Within five days after the completion of the official canvass, any voter may request a recount by filing a written request with the elections official and specifying which candidates and/or measures are to be recounted. "Completion of the canvass" shall be presumed to be the time when the elections official signs the certified statement of results.

The request may specify the order of precincts for the recount, and the petitioning voter shall, before commencement of each day’s recount, deposit such sum as the official requires to cover costs (approximately $500 per day).

No later than this date the elections official shall file with the Secretary of State, a statement of the following:

• List of offices to be filled;

• Name of each candidate including occupational designation, if any;

• Name of each successful candidate;

• Number of voters eligible to vote in each district and/or division;

• The number of votes for each candidate; and

• The list of offices for which appointments have been made in lieu of election pursuant to Elec. Code §10515, together with the names of persons so appointed. (§15310)

Except as to presidential electors, the Secretary of State shall compile the returns for: all candidates for statewide office; all candidates for Assembly, State Senate, Congress, State Board of Equalization, Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal; all statewide measures.

Nomination documents and signature in lieu of filing fee petitions (if applicable) shall be held during the term of office for which they were filed and for four years after the expiration of the term. They may be destroyed as soon as practicable thereafter provided no legal action or proceeding is pending.

Since the November 2000 is a federal election, precinct supplies and ballots must be preserved for 22 months following the election. If no legal action is pending at the time, the documents shall be destroyed or recycled.

Initiative, referendum and recall petitions must be preserved for eight months following certification of the election for which the petition qualified or eight months after final examination of the petition by the clerk. If no legal action or proceeding is then p[ending, the petitions may be destroyed as soon as practicable.

See Elections Code Division 17, commencing with section 17000.